With prices rising each and every day, planning budget family getaways can feel more challenging than ever. And while traveling has gotten more expensive, it’s still possible to find some great deals here and there.
If you want to take your family on vacation but are worried about the cost, don’t fret! We’ve put together a list of the best budget family getaways that won’t a fortune. That way, you can enjoy time with your loved ones without the hassle of financial stress!
The Best Budget Family Getaways
Camping Trips
Spending time in the great outdoors is an affordable yet fun family vacation idea. That’s because staying at a campsite is a lot more affordable than booking a hotel or resort. All you need is a big family tent – although you may also find some places that have cabins or yurts for rent instead.
During the day, you and the kids can go hiking, fishing, and if the weather is warm, swimming! Plus you can spend the evening stargazing and cooking around the campfire (which is also cheaper than eating out).
Farms Stays and Agritourism
If you’re looking for a unique way to spend your family vacation, book a farm stay or agritourism experience. There are tons of working farms and ranches across the country that offer accommodation to families. Some even allow guests to stay for free in exchange for a few hours of volunteer work on the farm too!
A farm getaway is great for kids because they’ll get to learn all about the agricultural industry. Whether it’s feeding the animals or learning about gardening, this type of trip is just as fun as it is educational.
Off-Season Beach Vacations
While hitting the beach for some sand and sun may be a top vacation destination, these trips tend to be very expensive. However, the time of year you go can save you tons of money on flights, hotels, and activities. Instead of traveling during the peak of summer, consider going during the shoulder season. Not only will you find cheaper travel deals, but there will also be fewer crowds, which offers a more relaxing family experience.
And to save even more money, look for hotels or vacation rentals a few blocks back from the water. You’d be surprised how much cheaper it is to stay if you don’t mind walking 5 or 10 minutes to the beach.
All-Inclusive Resorts
Despite what you may think, staying at an all-inclusive resort can be a surprising budget-friendly option for families. With meals, entertainment, and activities included with your room rate, you won’t have to stress about unexpected costs. Plus, these types of resorts tend to have tons of facilities and amenities for kids, which is great for keeping them entertained. From kids clubs to nightly entertainment, they’re guaranteed to enjoy every minute of their time on vacation.
And if you book early enough, you can score some great deals for a fraction of the cost that you normally would pay. Here are a few all-inclusive destinations with current sales for even bigger savings:
- Zemi Miches All-Inclusive (Punta Cana, Dominican Republic): Kids and teens stay free plus get up to 40% off and a $50 room credit.
- Deja Resort All Inclusive (Montego Bay, Jamaica): Enjoy 37% off and discounted kid and teen stays.
- Cancun Mar Caribe All-Inclusive (Cancun, Mexico): Kids and teens stay for free.
- Hard Rock Hotel Los Cabos All-Inclusive (Cabo San Lucas, Mexico): Kids and teens stay free plus a $200 resort credit per room.
Tips for Booking Budget Family Getaways
Planning budget family getaways take a bit of planning, especially if you’re on the hunt for money-saving deals. But if you keep the following tips in mind, you can score even bigger when booking a vacation.
- Be strategic with planning: The cheapest time to book domestic flights is 1 to 3 months in advance. However, international trips are best booked 4 to 6 months in advance for the best deals. If you’re traveling in the summer, then check out this article on when to book during peak times.
- Be flexible with dates: This can be hard if you’re trying to stick to school schedules. But traveling last minute or during mid-week can result in some of the lowest travel costs!
- Consider extended stay hotels: If you’re traveling for more than just a few nights or need extra space and flexibility, booking a family-friendly extended stay option can save you a ton. Extended Stay America is a great budget-friendly choice, offering spacious suites with full kitchens, free breakfast, and weekly rates designed to help families save money without sacrificing comfort.
- Look for bundled packages: Travel sites like Expedia are great for finding discounts on package vacations. It can be a lot cheaper to bundle your hotel, flight, and car rental together!
- Use airline miles or points: If you have a loyalty membership, you can use miles or points to cut costs on flights.
- Book during sale times: Hotels and airlines (like Jet Blue, for example) will often host sales throughout the year with major discounts. If you plan ahead, you can usually save lots of money for your vacation!
- Look for free or low-cost activities: If you’ve planned a city trip, do some research on free or low-cost activities. Many cities have free museum days, free walking tours, or free concerts and outdoor festivals.
Just because you’re planning budget family getaways doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice fun! With so many great vacation options, it’s easy to enjoy a family trip without breaking the bank. It doesn’t matter if you’re staying in the country or exploring somewhere new abroad. By being flexible, smart, and creative about travel planning, your family is bound to have an amazing time no matter where you go!
